Hello, I just got my diagnosis a few weeks ago and i just need some help to try and come to terms with this all...is this really a treatable disease??? if so why are so many people still dying from it??? I'm scared to death I'm only 25 years old will i be able to get over this and carry on with my life?? i just need to talk to someone who has been through the same experience.

The first thing you need to do is find a good Doctor who has experience treating HIV. Second find a support group or go for individual therapy. Get in touch with your local HIV/Aids organization and ask lots of questions. They usually have support groups and therapists and if not will be able to lead you in the right direction. This is not a death sentence as long as you get treatment. I tested positive seven years ago and my labs are excellent. I have always adhered to all medicines as prescribed and stopped smoking and drinking. Use the web to read and learn about this disease. Besides this web site check out www.aidsmeds.com, www.aegis.com, www.medscape.com.Stay well and try and keep a positive attitude.

I was 25 when I wad diagnosed, that was 14 years ago now and I am still strong and healthy, I have a great relationship with my doctors and have a great life. I live every day as a gift, and have fun with my life. Keep your health with you and don't sweat the little [censored]. Remember the 3 R's.Respect for yourself.Respect for others.Responsibility for your actions.

Hello,I too was diagnoised 7 months ago. From what I understand from my Doctors (who are all HIV specialist) the majority of those dying, are those who are not consistant with their daily meds intake, continued drug abusers, and those who generally do not take care of their health. Another is by continued unsafe sex and being reinfected. My understanding is that the strains are resistant to some meds.Its a tough road adjusting to this. Take care of your body, eat healthy, and make sure you have doctors that are professional's with HIV, and get involved with support groups. The long time survivors with give you hope, because you'll see that you are not going to die for a long time. Word of advise....don't dwell on their side affects of the long timers, because it could depress you more, with fear that you will suffer the same side effects. I am not on meds, and I continue hope that once I have to make that decission, the meds will be much better, which many of them already are. But my hopes are that there will eventually be no severe side effects.You are more then welcome to contact me by email, if you need to talk.

Being diagnosed when I was 15 made me feel the same way. I have never know my adult life without HIV and I am 32 now. I am happy and healthy and greatful for my disease. No only do I use it to encourage and educate others, I do not allow it to control me or my life. Keep your head up and know there is hope after the diagnosis.

hey man, It's totally normal to be scared about being hiv+. I was dianosed last Feb but probably have had it at least for 4 or 5 years. Have you made an appt with a specialist yet? If not, you need to ASAP. My biggest mistake was when I found out, I went for like 2 months being in this whacked out, crazed state of mind. I was paralyzed in fear and couldn't bear what the doctor might tell me. I finally kicked myself in the ass and went to the doctor and my first set of lab reports weren't that bad. Good CD4 count and a very, very low amount of virus in my system. I guess I am lucky, as far as hiv goes anyway. Not currently on medication and hopefully not for a long time. Know where your health is at and continue to have it monitored. This is the only way you can prevent yourself from getting sick. Open up the yellow pages and find info on HIV/AIDS support in your community. Trust me, it's in there. It will take time to get used to this whole thing so one of the best things for you to do is educate yourself with books, at this website and other online resources. Hell, email me if you need someone to talk to. I am 29 and live in NorCal. Take Care!!

I've known about my status for about 4 years now and am on medication. Once a day:

SustivaEpivirViread

So far it has been an experience. IT took me about a year to start to come out of depression, but what helped the most was realizing that I had control over this disease. You can:A. Start working out (include weights)B. Change your diet (cut out fat b/c of lipodystrophy)C. Cut out alcohol (see above)D. As far as I know pot doesn't have an interaction with meds (my doc said this also, said it would make you cough, but that is all(E. Start getting regular massage therapy (a lot of programs have discounted massage stuff)F. Pick a Dr. with a lot of experience of HIV (Dr. with plenty of experiences usually correlates with greater survival outcomes)G. Find other people that are HIV positive. Keep up with the literature on web sites like this one and American Medical Association.H. If on meds take them on time and religiously so you don't develop resistance.I. Have hope, someone treatment naive and 39 years old according to the AMA might have an additional life span of 39 years if they take care of themselve.J. Do not take fad supplements w/o consulting with your doctor about drug interactions.K. Don't miss Doctor's appointments.L. Drink plenty of water.M. Seek counseling for depression (since it affects the immune system.)N. Don't take cocaine or x since for sure coke has been showen to have direct interaction with HIV to speed up the process. X can cause brain damaged and possibly parkinsons not to mention if you are too tweaked out you run the risk of not taking your mediation and risking drug resistance.O. E-mail me if you want to talk Oosio@aol.com.

Hey man, I was diagnosed in July of 1996. My viral load was 178,000 my t cell was 78 Now my v-load is 1,500 and t- cell is at 245. I go to the doctor about every 90 days. I lift 5 and 10 lb weights and walk 2 miles in my neighborhood about 4 times a week. I eat better then I have ever have. I drink plenty of water and get plenty of rest. I saw a therapist for about 3 years just to keep my head on straight. Keep your circle of friends, talk to them, keep a good attitude and remember you are going through a major lifestyle, life and health period of adjustment. I know it may sound corny but I also have become more spiritual. If you ever want to talk. My email address is terrywithers@yahoo.com Terry

I am taking a product, it's called immune26. It's the result of a 10 year, $50 million R&D effort by 2 Fortune 50 companies, Dupont & Con-Agra. This is the only serious biotechnology product available in the world today. I've heard that the WHO is doing clinical testing on AIDS in Africa, & that the results are very promising. You can only get this product from their distributors. I'm going to give you the website of the guy I get mine from. His name is Al Williams, & he is very honest, & will help you out any way he can, if you ask him.go to:www.mylegacyforlife.net/long-life&check this out.One thing... You can not be alergic to eggs & take immune26.

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